Loughborough anti-terrorist device wins award
27 April 2012
A ground-breaking anti-terrorist device developed by Loughborough University academics has won the ‘Electro optic, thermal imaging and night vision’ category at the national Counter Terrorism and Specialist Security Awards 2012. The Explorer can scan crowded areas remotely in real-time, such as airports and railway stations, and identify tiny amounts of explosive particles invisible to the naked eye. It then automatically signals an alarm if traces are detected.
Professor John Tyrer
Professor John Tyrer from the University’s School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering developed the pioneering technology, alongside colleagues from the Department of Chemistry. Professor Tyrer’s spin-out company – Laser Optical Engineering – has developed several working prototypes of the device, which is currently undergoing field trials at a number of undisclosed locations across the country.
Speaking about the award Professor Tyrer said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Explorer has been recognised in this way. The system is non-invasive, works in real time, causes no delays to passengers and is fully automated, ruling out human error, and the images produced are no more controversial than those generated by CCTV. The technology has the potential to revolutionise how we protect members of the public from the threat of terrorism, not only here in the UK but across the world.”
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